Contents

The tall and broad Crab's heir was met by Hantei Okucheo during his touring across the Empire. Tsuneo and the Imperial Heir became fast friends. Both samurai traveled to the Lion lands, and there Okucheo saved Tsuneo's life during a bandit attack. The young Crab swore he would serve Okucheo unswervingly. When in 589 Okucheo became the EmperorHantei XVI, he recalled Tsuneo at his side at Otosan Uchi. [3]

Tsuneo served the Emperor loyally, and witnessed or performed many of the terrible things the Emperor commanded. [6] Once he killed in turn three children, following his lord's orders: Otomo Hiroku, 15th in line to the throne who was three years old, Otomo Kori, 14th in line to the throne, who had been five years old old, and Otomo Furiki, 13th in line for the throne, who had been eight years old. [7] In 598 Tsuneo secretly ordered the Crab Clan to begin stockpiling supplies, so they would be prepare once the Steel Chrysanthemum passed away and when that happened the Empire would likely look at the Crab with great disfavor. [8]

In 604 exiled and disgraced senior lords formed an improvised army in the lightly-settled western Lion lands. The next year Hida Tsuneo led a mixed force of Crab soldiers and Imperial Legions, crushing the rebel forces. These battles were remembered and studied throughout the later centuries, and he was seen as one of the greatest tacticians ever born. [9]

Since time passed the Emperor became more paranoic, and began lose trust in his closest advisors, except Tsuneo, who he still relied on absolutely. In 608 the Golden Legion was disbanded and its leader the Miya Daimyo Miya Karuo tortured and executed for treason, alongside with all of his officers. Hida Tsuneo carriedes out many of the arrests and executions personally. The next year the harvest failed for the third year in a row, leading to many peasant revolts which were crushed by Tsuneo's forces. [10]

The last order the Emperor made in that life time was for Tsuneo to kill the Emperor's mother, Otomo Kaoichihime, with his bare hands. Tsuneo did so, but was cursed by her dying breath to always follow the Emperor. Guards from the Crane, Lion, Phoenix and Scorpion rushed in attempting to save the Dowager Empress. Even the Seppun rebelled against the Emperor. They were too late, but slaughtered Tsuneo, the Emperor and those few still loyal to him. The curse placed upon Tsuneo forced the Crab to follow the Emperor to Toshigoku, where he spent the next five hundred years locked in eternal combat defending the Emperor. [6][11]

“My curse on you, Tsuneo, is that you will follow him to death . . . and beyond.”

Tsuneo was one of the many spirits that returned to Ningen-do through Oblivion's Gate, and continued to follow Hantei XVI once more. Hantei XVI wished to seize the Imperial Throne and since his return began to plot to create unstability in the Empire ruled by Toturi I. [13]

A CraneYasuki returned spirit, Yasuki Masashi, was horrified his family had sworn fealty to the Crab, and in 1138 demanded the Yasuki once again join the Crane. Tsuneo influenced his former clan to ensure the result would be a bloody conflict, prompting a series of small border clashes between Crab troops (mostly mortals) and Crane forces comprised mainly of spirits. [14]

Hantei XVI sparked a war against the Empire, attempting to claim the Jade Throne for himself. [11] Tsuneo stood before the Emperor Toturi, sword in hand. He would not return to Jigoku without a fight. Whether the Emperor kill the spirits or whether they went willingly was all the same. They could not ignore their duties, and Toturi could not ignore his honor. The Spirit Wars had begun. [15]

Tsuneo unified many of the returned Crab spirits, and even a few of the Crab Clan themselves. [11] The Battle of Fallen Ground was the first battle. Though the Lion carried the day, the victory came at a terrible price. [16] The battle prevented Tsuneo from attacking Otosan Uchi and the spirit forces fell back on Kyuden Isawa. [17] The war raged across the entire Empire, destroying Asahina lands. Shiro Iuchi was lost, and the Lion forces were forced to retreat to Beiden Pass and allied with the Scorpion Clan led by Bayushi Yojiro. Beiden Pass was the last stand before Tsuneo's army would sweep up and take the capital Otosan Uchi itself. [11]

Shortly before the last battle against Toturi's army, Tsuneo grew affectionate of a peasant serving girl named Hariko. Tsuneo died within the year, but the relationship with Hariko resulted in a son, Isamu. [28]